Diego Tristan was once again the Deportivo hero, scoring the winner 11 minutes from time after being on the pitch for less than a minute.

The Spanish international striker scored the only goal of their 1-0 win over Moncao in the Champions League on Tuesday but that was not enough to give him a place in the starting line up.

However, Deportivo coach Javier Irureta will have difficulty resisting his claim for much longer.

With the tide turning in Valencia's direction after they had got an equaliser five minutes earlier, Tristan was eventually thrust into the fray on 78 minutes.

On his first touch of the ball, Tristan was hacked down by Valencia defender David Navarro but the visitors had no answer to his second touch, a swerving left foot free kick from just outside the area.

Deportivo had earlier taken the lead through Juan Carlos Valeron after 15 minutes, although the goal was controversial as Cesar Martin looked to have fouled Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares while Valeron was picking his spot.

Valencia striker Mista Ferrer got his sixth goal of the season after 73 minutes before Tristan, the Spanish first division's leading scorer two seasons ago, found his touch again.

The victory means Deportivo will end the weekend as the leaders in Spain, with 21 points from their eight games.

Real Madrid overtake Valencia to go second, having scored more goals after their 3-1 victory over Racing Santander earlier on Saturday, with both teams having 19 points and the same goal difference.

The reigning Spanish champions maintained their title challenge thanks to Raul Gonzalez, who scored twice in the last 12 minutes to clinch a hard-fought win.

"You know that sometimes you are going to suffer in this game, and today was one of those days," said Real boss Carlos Queiroz.

"It was a difficult game, we all know that. In the end we finished well and what I can say is that after we went a goal behind, we played with intelligence and patience."

Raul found the net from close range with 12 minutes to go after Luis Figo had managed to turn the ball back from the line.

His fifth goal of the season came in the dying seconds after Santiago Solari had his shot parried away by Racing keeper Ricardo Lopez and the ball fell to his feet for an easy tap into an empty goal.

However, it was the only mistake of the match by the former Manchester United man, who was ironcially playing under Real coach Queiroz at Old Trafford last season before his move to the Spanish capital.

Queiroz later put in a plea for his former player to add to his two Spanish caps.

"We could have had more goals but Ricardo was fantastic. He stopped strikes by Zidane Figo and Roberto Carlos in the last few minutes."

Racing's Israeli international Yossi Benayoun silenced the sell-out Santiago Bernabeu stadium by firing a Fernando Moran cross past Real goalie Iker Casillas on the half-volley after 15 minutes.

Zinedine Zidane levelled the scores 11 minutes later, with a right foot volley from a pass from Ronaldo, but Racing several times threatened to add a second goal before Raul got his brace of late goals.

Racing coach Lucas Alcaraz was naturally less-than-happy at the outcome, with Real often looking shaky in the midfield in the absence of the injured David Beckham.

"We deserved at least a draw. A scoreline like this leaves a sour taste in the mouth. We tried hard and I can't complain about the effort of my players," said Alcaraz.

"Nor can I complain about the referee, and for once I am not being ironic."